If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Please note that posts from new users are now moderated. If you have just joined this forum and post a new message it will be held in the moderation queue until a member of staff approves it. Please be patient and our staff will review your submission as soon as possible.

Re: What the hell?

Thread
'What the hell', is one of the many ways of saying, 'so what' ! What difference does it make?
When I told my sister to comb her hair because it was all over she replied,'what the hell'! In other words she ment to say 'I really don't care'.
What the hell is also a very rude way of asking a question. You could say 'what the hell are you talking about'? You are asking him to explain what he is saying because what he has said it is so rude. It is best not to use these expressions because they are not polite. 'What difference does it make?' is not only correct English but it also makes you feel like a gentleman or lady

Re: What the hell?

It's not completely bad, but it is frowned upon in polite company. Much ruder is the phrase often abbreviated WTF, which is "What the f..." -- well, you can probably guess if you know a lot of English slang.

Less rude phrases following the pattern can include:

What the heck...? (another word for "hell")
What the devil...?
What the dickens...?

(The last two cannot be used to mean "I don't care".)

(One British TV show contained a joke in that it portrayed Charles Dickens saying: "What the Shakespeare is going on in there?" In reality, though, "dickens" has nothing to do with Charles Dickens, but refers to the devil.)

These phrases can also be used on their own to express great surprise or annoyance. In internet forums you'll often just see the abbreviation "WTF?" In speech, when indicating surprise, some speakers just say, "What the...?" without completing the phrase.

It's best, though, not to use these phrases when speaking to your teacher. "What the dickens?" isn't considered very rude, but many speakers do regard it as inappropriate in polite company.

Re: What the hell?

interesting. Now if anyone could make me understand these words I'll be glad:

hollaodaguccishortieBathoryAlso the word: ''ex'' I want the complete word from it.

?????????????

Go check out Urban Dictionary: Define Your World for all your slang needs :) There is an entry for "Oda" there, but I am not personally familiar with that one. (and I'm pretty hip). As for "Ex", that would be used like the word "former", but when used alone usually refers to a former boyfriend/girlfriend. Exapmle: "My ex was a freak in bed."

Re: What the hell?

I have a lot of questions about English slang. But my question is: What the hell!!What does this phrase mean?

As pointed out, this is a rude phrase and is in fact mild swearing.

It is not an idiom as such. "the hell" is used as an intensifier. It is used to strengthen the meaning of the sentence in which it is used, usually to add shock and surprise. It is usually used in a question but not always.

For example:

What is this?
What the hell is this!?
Note that when you chose to use this phrase the stress is placed on on the words "the hell"

"Heck"could be substituted is an acceptable form of "hell".
"Heck" does not mean "hell" as such. It does not really mean anything. It is sort of a swear word for people who don't swear. It performs the same function as "hell" in a sentence but it more polite. It is like when a person says "phooey"...they are really saying the "f" word.

What is this? (normal)What the heck is this!? (Shock and surprise in a strong but acceptable way) What the hell is this!? (Shock and surprise in a strong crude way)
It has many meanings depending on the context it is said in.

Surprise: (as he opens a box revealing a strange object)What the hell is this?!!
What the heck is this?!!Negative questioning: (You have walked into a room and see someone doing something bad)
What the hell do you think you are doing?What the heck do you think you are doing?

Resignation: (you have been arguing but now you give up...you don't care anymore) This is an example of its use without being in a question.

What the hell, let's go to the movies if you want to.What the heck, let's go to the movies if you want to.
Note that there is no stress on "the heck/the hell" in the above case. There are other meanings but this gives you an idea of how it is used.